In the study of dynamical systems on networks or graphs, a key theme is how the network topology influences stability for steady states or synchronized states. Ideally, one would like to derive conditions for stability or instability that, instead of microscopic details of the individual nodes or vertices, rather make the influence of the network coupling topology visible. The master stability function is an important such tool to achieve this goal. Here, we generalize the master stability approach to hypergraphs. A hypergraph coupling structure is important as it allows us to take into account arbitrary higher-order interactions between nodes. As, for instance, in the theory of coupled map lattices, we study Laplace-type interaction structures in detail. Since the spectral theory of Laplacians on hypergraphs is richer than on graphs, we see the possibility of different dynamical phenomena. More generally, our arguments provide a blueprint for how to generalize dynamical structures and results from graphs to hypergraphs.

• Received 2 April 2020
• Accepted 3 June 2020

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.101.062313

Published by the American Physical Society under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license. Further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the published article's title, journal citation, and DOI. Open access publication funded by the Max Planck Society.

Published by the American Physical Society